A community coming together for animals
Before 1982, Sonoma Valley had no local animal shelter or resources for stray and abandoned animals. A group of dedicated community members came together to change that, creating what would become Pets Lifeline.
The Early Days
In 1987, Pets Lifeline purchased land in Sonoma and built its first shelter. The house on the property served as a thrift store, helping raise funds to support the growing organization.
Over the years, the campus continued to evolve with improvements including a fenced dog yard, facility upgrades, and expanded space to better serve animals and the community.
The Greater Good
In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina displaced thousands of people and pets, Pets Lifeline joined a rescue effort to help animals flown from New Orleans to safety.
Over the following months, we worked to reunite pets with their families whenever possible and helped others find new homes. The effort brought together staff, volunteers, and our community around a shared goal: helping animals and the people who loved them through an extraordinary time.
Walking the Walk
Pets Lifeline has helped more than 20,000 dogs and cats find loving homes in Sonoma Valley.
Today, our work extends beyond adoption to include community veterinary services, humane education, and dog training classes. From affordable care and pet food assistance to summer camp and after school programs, we're helping pets stay healthy, families stay together, and young people build compassion for animals.
The Future
As we celebrate more than 30 years of serving Sonoma Valley, we remain committed to the future by expanding resources, strengthening programs, and ensuring animals and the people who love them continue to have a place to turn for care and support.
Pets Lifeline has been a cornerstone of our community, dedicated to enhancing the lives of animals and people alike. As we strive to expand our impact and grow into a larger animal resource center, our commitment to serving our animals and community remains unwavering. Together, we can create a brighter future for all.
Olivia Kristiansen | CEO